Almost all cat food cans tested (95%) had a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based coating

Most dog food cans (81%) had a bisphenol A (BPA)-based coating

Pet food cans overall had a higher frequency of both BPA-based and PVC-based coatings than human food cans.

The can linings identified by the Ecology Center are known to contain chemicals linked to health problems in animals and humans. PVC copolymers, which the study found in almost all cat food can linings, contain hormone-disrupting BPA derivatives that migrate into food. Most dog food cans contained coatings made from the endocrine disruptor BPA, recently linked to metabolic and gut microbiome changes in dogs consuming canned dog food. A growing body of scientific literature is showing that cat and dogs have significant levels of exposure to toxic chemicals in home environments.

“When dogs consumed canned dog food containing BPA for two weeks, it was associated with metabolic and gut microbiome alterations,” said Cheryl S. Rosenfeld, DVM, PhD, associate professor at the Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri and author of a recent study on the effects of BPA on canine health. “Thus, these recent findings from the Ecology Center raise further concern that potentially all commercial brands of dog and cat food may contain BPA that can lead to potential health effects in our companion animals.”

“We know that safer substitutes for BPA and PVC are widely available,” said Lauren Olson, science campaign director with the Ecology Center. “Last year consumer pressure led to Campbell’s and Del Monte making a commitment to phasing out BPA from all their cans. We’re calling on pet food companies to follow their lead and remove these harmful chemicals from their products.”

The Ecology Center will reach out to the major manufacturers of the canned pet food tested asking them to make a commitment to safer substitutes in their can linings.

Ecology Center is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization established in 1970 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Ecology Center develops innovative solutions for healthy people and a healthy planet in four primary areas: Environmental Health, Sustainable Food, Energy & Climate Change, and Zero Waste. This work is accomplished through educating consumers to help keep their families healthy and safe, pushing corporations to use clean energy, make safe products, and provide healthy food, providing people with innovative services that promote healthy people and a healthy planet and working with policymakers to establish laws that protect communities and the environment. For more information visit www.ecocenter.org and follow @Ecology_Center

Published on June 29, 2017

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In our recent study, we discovered toxic BPA in the lining of canned pet food. Let's tell manufacturers of pet food to clean up their act and stop using toxic chemicals in their cans

“Thus, these recent findings from the Ecology Center raise further concern that potentially all commercial brands of dog and cat food may contain BPA that can lead to potential health effects in our companion animals.”